Board of Education Approved 1/20/15

Transcription

1 Board of Education Approved 1/20/15

2 Stow-Munroe Falls High School 3227 E. Graham Road Stow, Ohio (fax) High School Website: Rated Excellent Click here for high school website District Website: Phone Numbers Athletic Office Attendance Office Fax Counseling Office Main Office Transportation Office High School Administration Mr. Chris DiMauro Principal Ms. Kathleen G. Thomas Associate Principal Mrs. Amanda Murray Mr. Mark Treen Mr. Cyle Feldman Assistant Principal (Grades 9, 11) Assistant Principal (Grades 10, 12) Athletic Administrator Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools 4350 Allen Road Stow, OH Phone: Fax: Mr. Thomas Bratten, Superintendent Mrs. Julie Obraza, Director of Academic Achievement Board of Education Members Rod Armstrong - President Fred Bonacci - Vice President Geraldine Bettio Pat Matthews Karen Powers High School Counselors Ms. Wendy Paul Mr. Tom Martinelli Mrs. Teresa Miller Mr. Jason LePard (Last names A-E) (Last names F-K) (Last names L-Q) (Last names R-Z) 1

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS... 2 MISSION STATEMENT... 6 VISION... 6 CORE BELIEFS... 6 USING THE PROGRAM OF STUDIES... 7 COURSE LEVEL DECISIONS... 7 DEFINITION OF TERMS... 7 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS... 8 Ohio Graduation Test (OGT)... 8 OHIO HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS... 9 REGULAR DIPLOMA... 9 ALTERNATIVE FOR RECEIVING A DIPLOMA... 9 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS... 9 HONORS DIPLOMA Criteria Is Consistent For All Graduating Classes COLLEGE PREP CORE CURRICULUM CREDIT FLEXIBILITY EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS CREDIT PHYSICAL EDUCATION EQUIVALENCY TESTING ACT - Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors ACT Aspire SAT Preliminary SAT (PSAT) / National Merit COURSE REGISTRATION COURSE AVAILABILITY SCHEDULING GUIDELINES CHANGING LEVELS

4 SPECIAL EDUCATION HONORS ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS COLLEGE CREDIT PLUS PROGRAM COURSE LOAD FOR COLLEGE CREDIT PLUS STUDENTS GRADING POLICIES EVALUATION GRADES EXAMS Grading Standards PARENT INTERNET ACCESS TO GRADES TRANSFER STUDENT GRADES/CREDITS HOMEWORK REQUESTS RETAKE POLICY SUMMER SCHOOL CLASS RANK TOP TEN NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS COUNSELING SERVICES PROGRAM OF STUDIES ATHLETICS Eligibility SMFCSD Eligibility (Local Standard) OHSAA Athletic Eligibility College Credit Plus (CCP) Intercollegiate Athletic Eligibility NCAA Eligibility Center for Sport Scholarships Registering with the NCAA Eligibility Center

5 NCAA academic eligibility requirements Athletics - FALL Athletics - WINTER Athletics - SPRING Physical Examination and Participation Forms Insurance Coverage Transfer for Students (for participation in athletics) COURSE OFFERINGS ART : A Fine Arts Curriculum BUSINESS COMPUTER/INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COLLEGE TECH PREP PROGRAMS ENGLISH ENGLISH - Freshman Courses ENGLISH - Sophomore Courses ENGLISH - Junior Courses ENGLISH - Senior Courses ENGLISH - Elective Courses FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES MATH MUSIC : A Fine Arts Curriculum PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND HEALTH SCIENCE SOCIAL STUDIES STUDENT SERVICES TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION WORLD LANGUAGES WORLD LANGUAGES - French WORLD LANGUAGES - Japanese

6 WORLD LANGUAGES - Latin WORLD LANGUAGES - Spanish ACTIVITIES INDEX GRADUATION CREDIT WORK SHEET

7 Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools MISSION STATEMENT Our Mission is to provide a 21st Century Education empowering each learner to be a self-motivated, successful citizen in a global society. VISION Providing inspiration to make a difference in the world. CORE BELIEFS The purpose of schooling is to ensure that each child, regardless of background, learns to think, reason and use his or her mind well. The school district is organized to encourage children to use knowledge to solve problems rather than passively absorb knowledge to be used at some other time. District-level staff supports initiatives from the school buildings that are designed to produce better results for students. Teachers are viewed as leaders: their primary job is to engage students in significant activity that results in learning. One of the most critical jobs of the superintendent is to develop a vision of the future and to initiate action toward that vision. 6

8 USING THE PROGRAM OF STUDIES The Program of Studies contains all the essential information needed for students to plan their educational program. This POS should be read carefully by both students and parents/guardians prior to making course selections. The courses selected each spring will determine the student s schedule of classes for the next school year. Therefore, all schedule changes must be completed prior to the end of the school year. COURSE LEVEL DECISIONS College Preparatory courses develop skills and knowledge required for college admission and success. Honors courses contain more challenging content and demand a higher standard of student achievement. Advanced Placement courses are college level courses that prepare student to take Advanced Placement Exams and earn college credit. Career-Technical Programs/College Tech Prep Initiatives develop skills and knowledge relevant to a particular field of concentration. Stow-Munroe Falls High School is proud to offer College Tech Prep offerings in our Aeronautics Program, Programming and Software Development, International Business & Marketing Institute, Culinary Arts & Catering Program, Career-Based Intervention, and The Engineering Academy. In addition, programs covering a wide range of interests in a variety of areas are offered through the Six-District Educational Compact. Those program descriptions are included in this Program of Studies. DEFINITION OF TERMS Various words, expressions, or symbols will be used throughout this Program. The following words or expressions are listed below for your reference. AP: Application: College Tech Prep: Credit: Credit Flexibility: Distance Learning: Dual Enrollment: Elective: Honors/Advanced Placement Intent: NSLP The AP indicates an Advanced Placement course. Course requires an application for appropriate pre-requisite fulfillment. Programs designed for high-skill, high-demand technical careers in a competitive global economy. Application is required. One credit is awarded for each full year course which requires in-class and out-of-class participation and meets five days a week for a school year. Some subjects are awarded in fractional units of credit (¼ or ½) as determined by the number of class periods per week and the amount of homework assigned. See under Credit Flexibility in this Program Articulated courses through the University of Akron Distance Learning Platform. Students will receive college credit for this coursework. Courses taught by Stow-Munroe Falls faculty for articulated college credit. Courses that are not required for graduation; these courses enhance a student s plan of study and help explore future interests for career, college, and beyond Course requires that a completed intent form be submitted. This form is available online at the School Counseling website. National School Lunch Program 7

9 ODE CCP: College Credit Plus Pre-requisite: Physical Education Equivalency: Required: Semester: STEM: Ohio Department of Education College Credit Plus - Attendance of parent and student is required at the annual meeting for the following year. A course required prior to enrollment in the next level of the course. The Ohio Department of Education allows school districts to adopt a policy that would exempt students who participate in interscholastic athletics, band or cheerleading for two full seasons from the physical education requirement. Student must earn ½ credit in another course. Stow-Munroe Falls Board of Education has adopted this policy. Curriculum necessary to earn an Ohio Diploma Eighteen Weeks: First Semester is from August through January; Second Semester is January through June Science, Technology, Engineering and Math GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Class of 2016 and 2017 What it takes to earn an Ohio Diploma: Credits Subject 4 English 4 Mathematics-including Math I, Math II, Math III, and a 4 th required Math option 3 Social Studies - American History, World History, American Government 3 Science 5½ ½ Electives Health (one semester) ½ Physical Education (two courses) or Physical Education Equivalency (see page 1) ½ Financial Literacy Choice of: Business & Personal Finance (Business), Economics and Financial Literacy (Social Studies), Accounting (Business), Entrepreneurship, Financial Literacy (Family & Consumer Science), Independent Living (Family & Consumer Science), AP Microeconomics & AP Macroeconomics (Social Studies) Fine Arts -Students must complete at least two semesters of fine arts taken any time in Grades 7-12 Students following a career-technical pathway are exempted from the fine arts requirement. 21 Total Credits Ohio Graduation Test (OGT) Students must pass all five sections (writing, reading, math, social studies, and science) of the Ohio Graduation Test to receive an Ohio diploma. All sections of the test are based on the Ohio Academic Standards, which can be found online at Students will take the test the first time in March of their sophomore year, and will have two opportunities during their junior and senior years to retake any sections of the test not already passed. Students needing intervention may also test in the summer provided they have taken 10 hours of intervention. 8

10 OHIO HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS REGULAR DIPLOMA A diploma will be granted if the student has passed all sections of the Ohio Graduation Test and has completed all graduation course requirements. No high school diploma will be granted if the student has not passed the Ohio Graduation Test, even if the student has completed all graduation course requirements. Any student that has not met the criteria for receiving a high school diploma will not be permitted to participate in the graduation ceremony. ALTERNATIVE FOR RECEIVING A DIPLOMA (See Ohio Department of Education website for more detailed information) Pass 4 of 5 tests Missed proficient score by 10 points or fewer on the failed test 97% attendance entire high school career, no expulsion 2.5 GPA in courses of test not passed Participate in intervention Letters recommending graduation from principal and teachers Complete high school curriculum requirements in the subject of test not passed GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Class of 2018 and Beyond What it takes to earn an Ohio Diploma: Credits Subject 4 English 4 Mathematics-including Math I, Math II, Math III,, and 3 Social Studies - American History, World History, American Government 3 Science 5½ ½ Electives Health (one semester) ½ Physical Education (two courses) or Physical Education Equivalency (see page 1) ½ Financial Literacy Choice of: Business & Personal Finance (Business), Economics and Financial Literacy (Social Studies), Accounting (Business), Entrepreneurship, Financial Literacy (Family & Consumer Science), Independent Living (Family & Consumer Science), AP Microeconomics & AP Macroeconomics (Social Studies) Fine Arts-Students must complete at least two semesters of fine arts taken any time in Grades 7-12 Students following a career-technical pathway are exempted from the fine arts requirement. 21 Total Credits **New**All students must take End of Course Exams in Math I, Math II, Physical Science, English 9, English 10, American History, and American Government. Students must also meet one of the following: 1. Earn a cumulative passing score on the end of course exams. The scores will be set by the State Board of Education. 2. Earn a remediation free score on a nationally recognized college admission exam such as ACT or SAT. The state of Ohio will pay for all 11 th grade students in the class of 2018 and beyond to take the exam free of charge. 3. Earn a State of Education approved, industry recognized credential or a state issued license for practice in a career and achieve a score that demonstrates workforce readiness and employability on a job skills assessment. 9

11 HONORS DIPLOMA Criteria Is Consistent For All Graduating Classes An honors diploma will be granted if a student has met the requirements for a regular diploma, passed all state testing requirements and has met at least seven of the following eight criteria for a college preparatory or seven of the following eight criteria for a career-technical education curriculum. High School Academic Diploma with Honors (must meet 7 of the 8 criteria) Career-Technical Diploma with Honors (must meet 7 of the 8 criteria) Subject Criteria Subject Criteria English 4 credits English 4 credits Mathematics 4 credits, including Math I, Math II, Math III and another higher level course or a four-year sequence of courses that contain equivalent content Mathematics 4 credits, including Math I, Math II, Math III and another higher level course or a four-year sequence of courses that contain equivalent content Science 4 credits, including Physics and Chemistry Science 4 credits, including 2 credits of advanced science Social Studies 4 credits Social Studies 4 credits World Language Fine Arts 3 credits, including at least 2 credits in each language studied 1 credit Career- Technical 4 credits of Career-Technical minimum. Program must lead to an industry-recognized credential, apprenticeship or be part of an articulated career pathway which can lead to post-secondary credit. Grade Point Average 3.5 on a 4.0 scale Grade Point Average 3.5 on a 4.0 scale ACT/SAT Score (excluding scores from the writing section) 27 ACT / 1210 SAT ACT/SAT Score (excluding scores from the writing section) 27 ACT / 1210 SAT Additional Assessment Achieve the proficiency benchmark established for the appropriate Ohio Career-Technical Competency Assessment or the equivalent. 10

12 Recommendations for Ohio's State-Assisted Universities COLLEGE PREP CORE CURRICULUM College-bound students should be aware that the state universities in Ohio (Akron, Bowling Green, Central State, Cincinnati, Cleveland State, Kent, Miami, Ohio State, Ohio University, Shawnee, Toledo, Wright, and Youngstown) endorse the minimum core curriculum for college preparation in Ohio, which consists of the following: English Math Science Social Studies World Language Visual/Performing Arts 4 credits 4 credits (Math I,, Math II, Math III and a 4 th required Math course, ) 3 credits (Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry) 3 credits 2 credits of the same Language 1 credit (Fine Arts curriculum) Private and out-of-state colleges and universities may require more extensive preparation in specific subject areas (e,g,. 3 credits of world language). Check with the college or university of your choice for additional information. CREDIT FLEXIBILITY As part of Senate Bill 311 (also known as the Ohio Core), the law directed the State Board of Education to adopt a plan enabling students to earn units of high school credit based on demonstrating subject area competency instead of (or in combination with) completing hours of classroom instruction. Ohio s plan for credit flexibility is designed to broaden the scope of curricular options available to students, increase the depth of study possible for a particular subject, and allow tailoring of learning time and/or conditions. These are ways in which aspects of learning can be customized around more of students interests and needs. Students will be able to earn credits by: Completing coursework; Testing out of or demonstrating mastery of course content; or Pursuing one or more educational options (e.g. distance learning, educational travel, independent study, an internship, music, arts, after school/tutorial program, community service or other engagement projects and sports). Credit flexibility is intended to motivate and increase student learning by allowing: o Access to more learning resources, especially real-world experiences o Customization around individual student needs o Use of multiple measures of learning, especially those where students demonstrate what they know and can do, apply the learning, or document performance. Credit flexibility program details the application process and downloadable forms, which are available on our high school website under the School Counseling Department link. Detailed information is also available on the Ohio Department of Education s website. 11

13 EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS CREDIT The Stow-Munroe Falls City School District provides opportunities so that educational credit may be awarded for nontraditional education programs. At Stow-Munroe Falls High School this type of credit may be approved if all of the following essential situations are in place: The Stow-Munroe Falls City School District Board of Education policies are followed. All Educational Options programs must be approved by the high school administrator at Stow-Munroe Falls High School. Stow-Munroe Falls High School offers a credit recovery program for students who are deficient in credits toward their high school graduation. Our E-Academics program, an on-line program, is initiated through the school counselor and approved through the high school administrator. PHYSICAL EDUCATION EQUIVALENCY Ohio Department of Education permits a student who participates in interscholastic athletics, band, or cheerleading for two full seasons to be exempt from the physical education course requirements. Students must earn ½ credit in another course. TESTING ACT - Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors : A fee is required for registration Stow-Munroe Falls High School will provide a free ACT to all juniors annually. Students participating in the National School Lunch program should see their school counselor for a fee waiver. The American College Test is a test used for admission and placement by all colleges and universities. The test consists of four subtests: English (45 minutes in length), mathematics (60 minutes in length), reading (35 minutes in length); and science (35 minutes in length). An optional 30-minute writing test is also available. Students are permitted to use calculators on the Mathematics test. An interest inventory is completed at the time of registration. Results of the test and interest inventory assist students with their educational and career planning. It is recommended that college-bound juniors take the ACT twice as a Junior (December, February, April, or June) and seniors take/retake the ACT in September or October. For test dates and registration information go to: ACT Aspire ACT Aspire will be given annually to all freshman and sophomores. ACT Aspire is a computer-based, longitudinal assessment system that connects growth and progress from elementary grades through high school in the context of college and career readiness. Assessing students knowledge and skills is critical to ensuring all students receive the support and services necessary to help them succeed in school and life. The essential, actionable information and insights gained from ACT Aspire Assessment System help educators understand a student s past, capture the present, and impact the future. SAT - Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors : A fee is required for registration. SAT: Reasoning Test and SAT II: Subject Tests. The SAT is used by many colleges for admission. All colleges in Ohio accept these tests for admission and placement. A student must be sure to check the testing requirement for each college or university he/she is considering. The SAT Reasoning Test includes verbal reasoning sections with emphasis on critical reading, including a double passage with different points of view and questions that measure vocabulary in context. The mathematical reasoning sections have questions that require students to produce their own responses. Students are permitted to use calculators. There is emphasis on interpretation of data and applied mathematics. Many selective colleges and universities may use the SAT Reasoning Test and the SAT II: Subject Tests as part of their admission procedure. The Subject Tests are one-hour, multiple-choice tests in writing, literature, world language, history, 12

14 mathematics, science, and English as a second language. Students should consult their potential colleges for recommendations and requirements for admission. The SAT is given seven times during the year. It is recommended that juniors take the SAT twice their Junior year (March, May or June). These tests will assist students in their college planning and in satisfying requirements for special programs such as R.O.T.C., the academies, and early admission into college. Seniors take/retake the SAT in October or November. For test dates and registration information go to: Preliminary SAT (PSAT) / National Merit - Sophomores and Juniors A fee is required. A free PSAT will be provided for all interested juniors. The PSAT/NMSQT will be administered to all interested sophomores and juniors each year on the national test date in the month of October. The PSAT includes questions designed to measure verbal reasoning skills, critical reading skills, math problem-solving skills, and a measure of writing skills. Students will be permitted to use any four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator on the test. The PSAT serves two purposes: to provide practice for the SAT and to enable juniors to compete for scholastic recognition and financial awards through the scholarship program administered by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Students register in the fall for the PSAT through the Counseling Office. A testing fee for sophomores must be paid at the time of registration. COURSE REGISTRATION Starting in January, students begin to choose courses for the following year. Classroom teachers give recommendations to students regarding appropriate courses and levels. A course selection sheet is sent home with the students for parents and students to review and finalize course selections. The signed course selection sheet must be returned to the appropriate counselor and serves as an agreement by the student to remain in the selected classes. Since course selection is used to determine class offerings, staffing, class sizes and the Master Schedule, any requests for changes in student schedules greatly impacts this planning. It is vital that students and parents choose carefully for next year and that all changes be made by the end of the current school year. Only schedule corrections due to academic misplacement or error will be possible in the fall. COURSE AVAILABILITY Sufficient enrollment is required for any course to be scheduled. If there is not sufficient enrollment in a particular course, it will not be offered. SCHEDULING GUIDELINES Students should carefully consider the courses they select when planning a schedule for the following year. Teachers, parents, and counselors are quite helpful in advising students on their course selections. All students must adhere to the following policies: Students in grades 9-11 must be enrolled in at least six (6) classes per term. All seniors must be enrolled in at least five (5) classes per term excluding PE. Before the current school year ends, every student (9-12) will receive an unofficial copy of his/her schedule. At this time, students may request any necessary adjustments with written parental permission. Once the school year begins, no schedules will be adjusted, except for academic misplacement. All students will receive their official schedule in homeroom on the first day of school. When academic misplacement occurs, THE TEACHER WILL INITIATE THE PROCESS TO WITHDRAW THE STUDENT FROM THE COURSE. 13

15 CHANGING LEVELS A student may move from one course to a more or less difficult one within a discipline through teacher recommendation only. Students should first demonstrate that they have completed all homework and sought additional help from the teacher, tutor or National Honor Society Lab. The teacher may initiate a level change at any time during the first semester if the teacher determines the change is appropriate. After the change is made, the grades earned by the student will be transferred to the new teacher. SPECIAL EDUCATION Stow-Munroe Falls City School District s special education program serves students with disabilities through a comprehensive testing program and consultation with special education staff, in accordance with guidelines set forth by the Ohio Department of Education. If a student qualifies for special education services, the services will be reviewed with the teacher and the parent by the team of professionals (school psychologist, special education teacher, regular education teacher, administrator, and counselor) through the Evaluation Team process. After this consultation, an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is developed and shared with the student and parent, who must sign this plan prior to the student receiving special education services. The Ohio State Department of Education recognizes the following disabilities through the child find process: Autism, Intellectual Disability, Deaf-Blindness, Deafness, Emotional Disturbance, Hearing Impairment, Multiple Disabilities, Orthopedic Impairment, Other Health Impairment, Specific Learning Disability, Speech or Learning Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Visual Impairment. Students with special education needs are provided a course of study determined by their IEP team. Students are educated in the least restrictive setting first. Other support systems are: Inclusion: A college and career-ready inclusion model may be available in English, math, science, and social studies. An Intervention Specialist works in conjunction with the regular education teacher to provide accommodations as specified in the student s IEP. Small Group Instruction: Intervention classes modify the curriculum to meet students needs. Classes are taught to special education students by a special education teacher. HONORS Listed below are general criteria for students planning to take honors courses at Stow-Munroe Falls High School. A crossdisciplinary committee developed the criteria. Individual disciplines may have additional criteria. Students should be strong, independent learners. Students will be responsible for increased rigor in all areas of study relevant to the course. Students may be responsible for summer assignments. Students will be expected to conduct research, utilize technology, and demonstrate knowledge involving application, synthesis, reflection and evaluation. Interested students should complete an Honors/Advanced Placement Intent Form available from the Guidance website. All Honors courses will be assessed with weighted grades. ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS The Advanced Placement Tests are offered annually by the College Entrance Examination Board to give high school students the opportunity to demonstrate college-level achievement and to obtain credit hours in college courses. These tests, administered on national test dates in May, are three hours in length. All students enrolled in an Advanced Placement 14

16 course are required to take the Advanced Placement test. -The AP fee is determined each fall by the College Board and will be included in the student s yearly fees. The AP fee for the current year is $91 per test. A student who earns a score of 3, 4, or 5 on the AP Exam will be issued credit from any state university in Ohio. COLLEGE CREDIT PLUS PROGRAM The College Credit Plus program allows qualified students to take college courses on a full-time or part-time basis. Courses taken and credits earned through the CCP program will most likely transfer to any Ohio public university but students should check with the specific university for details. If a student is planning on attending a private or out-of-state college or university they will need to check with the school concerning their credit transfer policy. Visit ODE website for more information. To be eligible to participate a student must: Attend the CCP informational meeting hosted annually by the high school counselors. Both student and parent must attend. Register and take either the ACT or SAT by April of the preceding year of participation. Have at least a B grade point average in all high school courses taken in the same subject area as the college course in which the student intends to enroll. Interested students and parents are required to declare their intent to participate in the program for the following year by signing the CCP Intent Form by March 30th. If a student decides to participate after the March 30th deadline they will need to seek administrative approval. This criterion has been established by the Ohio Department of Education. Apply to the college of choice by the deadline for CCP admission set by that university. (Refer to college website for this information as it may vary each year.) Generally speaking, students pursuing CCP should have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (KSU) to a 3.3 (Akron) or higher, an ACT composite score of 24 or higher, or an SAT composite score of 1210 when combining the critical reading and math portions of the SAT. Some colleges may have different criteria and may require letters of recommendation and/or an essay from the student as part of the application process. It is recommended to check with your prospective college/university. Student s and parents may incur financial responsibility for failing grades or lack of attendance. College Credit Plus Options at Stow-Munroe Falls High School include Distance Learning and Dual Enrollment classes. Once admitted to the College Credit Plus program the student will need to: Meet with their high school counselor prior to making any changes to their high school schedule Schedule no more than eight credits, high school and college combined in any year. Students and parents/guardians should use the conversion chart provided in the College Credit Plus packet or discuss this with their school counselor. Provide their college schedule of classes, including meeting times and credit hours listed, to their high school counselor each term. Qualified students are eligible to enroll in courses at a post-secondary institution under two options: Option A The student may enroll in college courses for college credit with the student paying all costs. The credit earned is college credit and therefore not part of the student s high school cumulative grade point average. Option B The student may enroll in college courses for both college and high school credit with the cost of tuition and books paid by the State of Ohio. If a student is eligible for Option B, since the academic credit earned is high school credit, the grade earned becomes part of the student s high school cumulative grade point average. No college credit will be issued as a weighted grade. 15

17 COURSE LOAD FOR COLLEGE CREDIT PLUS STUDENTS College Credit Plus students who attend college on a full-time basis must carry the minimum number of hours established by the college as attending full-time. Please note that for purposes of high school athletic eligibility, the Ohio High School Athletic Association requires full-time College Credit Plus students to carry at least thirteen (13) semester or quarter hours. Student athletes are also required to obtain evidence from their professors that they are passing at the end of each high school grading period. Senior students who attend college part-time must carry a combination of five academic classes at the college and the high school. All others must carry a minimum of six classes per term. GRADING POLICIES A student must receive a passing grade for two of the last three marks in a year course in order to earn credit for a course. A student must receive a passing grade for two of the three marks in a semester course in order to earn credit for a course. EVALUATION Evaluation is the appraisal of the student s total performance as he or she advances through an academic program. GRADES GRADING SCALE TRADITIONAL COURSES WEIGHTED GRADE HONORS COURSES WEIGHTED GRADE AP COURSES FINAL GRADE CALCULATION A = A = 4.00 A = 4.5 A = 5.00 A = B = B = 3.00 B = 3.5 B = 4.00 B = C = C = 2.00 C = 2.0 C = 2.00 C = D = D = 1.00 D = 1.0 D = 1.00 D = F = 0-59 F = 0.00 F = 0.0 F = 0.00 F = EXAMS Exams weigh 20% of the course grade; therefore, all students are expected to take exams. For year-long courses, the first semester exam and second semester exam will each count as 10% of the final grade Grading Period 1 20% Final grades are calculated as follows: Grading Period 2 20% Grading Period 3 20% Grading Period 4 20% Exam Grades (10% x 2) 20% The point values for each term grade and exam grade are added together and divided by 5 (Exam grades are averaged together). 16

18 The following is an interpretation of the letter grades: Grading Standards A The student demonstrates superior control of the ideas, knowledge, and understanding of subject matter, which shows continuous improvement. B The student demonstrates good control of ideas, knowledge, and understanding of subject matter, which shows continuous improvement. C The student demonstrates limited control of ideas, knowledge, and understanding of subject matter, which shows limited improvement. D The student demonstrates very limited control of ideas, knowledge, and understanding of subject matter and very limited improvement. This grade is given to a student who makes an honest effort even if the quality of work is not passing. F I S The student demonstrates no apparent control of ideas, knowledge, and understanding of subject matter with no measurable improvement. Incomplete work must be made up to earn credit. Signifies that a student is doing satisfactory work. (Administrative Permission) U Signifies that a student is doing unsatisfactory work. (Administrative Permission) PARENT INTERNET ACCESS TO GRADES Progress Book, is an online grade book that allows parents and students to monitor progress in all classes. Teacher grade books and attendance information may be viewed online, and an notification system may be enabled. To access Progress Book an account is required. The information for setting up these accounts will be mailed home at the beginning of the school year to the parents of all new students. Passwords for current students remain the same from year to year. Naviance/Transcripts The Stow-Munroe Falls High School Counseling Department utilizes Naviance Family Connections, an online program used by students to compare colleges, explore and match careers to personal strengths and to search for scholarships during the senior year. The Naviance Family Connections simplifies the college application process by allowing SMFHS to send all student documentation to colleges electronically. To utilize this feature all students will be issued their login information necessary to create their account at Students must also complete and return a Parent Consent for Transcript Release form authorizing SMFHS to process and send all transcripts as requested through their Naviance Family Connections account. Because of the volume of transcripts processed in the Counseling Office, all transcript requests should be submitted at least one week prior to any deadline. TRANSFER STUDENT GRADES/CREDITS The records of transfer students are evaluated individually using the grades and credits granted by the previous school. All courses and grades will be transferred as well as the credit earned; however, religion classes will appear on the transcript with no credit issued and will not be calculated in the student s grade point average. All home-schooled transfer student records will be evaluated by an administrator for grades and credit approval. 17

19 HOMEWORK REQUESTS Students are responsible for gathering their homework from their teachers if they are absent. Access to Progress Book online is the preferred process for homework information. Students parents are encouraged to or call teachers directly. addresses and phone numbers are listed on the high school webpage. RETAKE POLICY Students will have the opportunity to retake a class for grade improvement. The highest grade and credit will be reflected on the student s official transcript and in the cumulative grade point average. All considerations for a course retake must be facilitated through the School Counselor. SUMMER SCHOOL Summer courses may be taken during any of the four years of attendance in high school. Stow-Munroe Falls High School summer school information (including registration dates and cost) is available to students each spring.. Students considering summer school at another location need approval of the course from their SMFHS counselor. Once the course is approved the student must have that school forward grades and credit information to the Stow-Munroe Falls High School Counseling Office in order for the course to become a part of the transcript. Entering Freshmen students are eligible to take summer school courses the summer prior to ninth grade. CLASS RANK Class rank is determined by the final grade given in each class as well as the semester average for year-long courses. Class rank is often utilized by colleges and universities to determine acceptance, scholarships, and awards. TOP TEN The Top Ten are the top ten ranked students in the senior class with the highest- grade point averages at the end of the senior year. Students must have completed four consecutive semesters of classes at Stow-Munroe Falls High School in order to be eligible for Top Ten. NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY National Honor Society is an organization that is open to any student with a cumulative GPA of 3.6 or higher after their 5th semester of high school. The four pillars of NHS- Leadership, Scholarship, Service and Character are the criteria used to grant admission into National Honor Society. To be eligible for membership, a junior or senior must have been in attendance at Stow-Munroe Falls High School at least one semester and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.6. Applications are reviewed by the NHS Faculty Council and the appointed body has the ultimate decision on admission. Students who are admitted are required to serve a total of 30 hours. Bylaws adopted by the SMFHS Chapter of National Honor Society are set by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Applications are available in the spring of the junior year (Spring Induction) and the fall of the senior year (Fall Induction). AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS Stow-Munroe Falls High School is proud to offer various awards and scholarships to students. Local scholarship applications are available online through the Counseling Office website. 18

20 COUNSELING SERVICES The Counseling Office of Stow-Munroe Falls High School is committed to providing guidance and counseling services to each student in the high school. These services facilitate emotional, social, and educational growth and assist students to achieve their full potential as lifelong learners and citizens of the world. Guidance may be defined as the presentation of factual information related to career, educational, and social development, and when combined with counseling is effective to help students become self-directed. Counseling is a close working relationship between a skilled professional counselor and an individual or group, where important developmental issues may be explored. SMFHS Counseling services are designed to complement the comprehensive academic programs of the high school, preparing students to be responsible for the direction of their lives after high school. Other important professionals involved in the delivery of these services may include the school social worker, school psychologist, teachers, administrators, parents, and appropriate community agencies. School counselors meet periodically with all students and parents through scheduled individual conferences, classroom presentations, and evening group presentations, providing guidance and counseling regarding educational, college, and career planning. Counselors are also available daily to meet with students during their study hall times for academic conferences and are also available on an as-needed basis for impromptu intervention. A counselor is a trained professional who: helps students identify their abilities, achievements, and interests; assists students to progressively develop educational and career decision-making skills; presents choices to students to assist in their decision making; provides educational, career, and social information; contributes to better school and staff understanding about the changing needs of students; identifies community resources that will help students; extends assistance to parents who have special concerns about their children; offers individual counseling to students; and Coordinates the services of the school to serve the students. The guidance website and the College and Career Newsletter are valuable tools that can serve as additional resources for students and parents. OhioMeansJobs K-12 OhioMeansJobs.com is Ohio s premier free, virtual employment and career center. This online hub serves all Ohioans and it has a special section just for students in grades K-12. For Students, the journey begins by going to OhioMeansJobs.com and clicking on the K-12 icon-the cardinal in a graduation cap. From there, they can register for an OhioMeansJobsK-12 account. OhioMeansJobs K-12 can help young students find careers that match their interests. They can learn what it takes to find a job they love, get help with their resume and learn about internships and part-time jobs. Best of all, OhioMeansJobs highlights Ohio s in-demand careers with a thumbs-up icon. In-demand careers pay well and have a promising future. Students can store all their important information in an online backpack such as their budget plans, career plan, information about education and training programs, resumes, and job search results. They can even take free college entrance or career preparation practice tests. 19

21 PROGRAM OF STUDIES ATHLETICS Fee required for participation (See Website) Eligibility Student athletes must meet both SMFCSD and OHSAA eligibility standards. In addition to any local standards or statemandated standards (GPA), the OHSAA standards must be met without exception in order to maintain athletic eligibility. SMFCSD Eligibility (Local Standard) To be eligible for any interscholastic athletic program or extra-curricular activity, a student must meet the eligibility requirements established by the Stow-Munroe Falls Board of Education. The grade point average of each preceding grading period (quarter grades) will be used to determine eligibility. Summer school grades earned may not be used to recalculate a student s grade point average from the last grading period of the regular school year. A student must maintain the following grade point average and not receive more than one (1) failing grade in any course during the preceding grading period. Students in grades 7, 8, and 9 must have a 1.5 minimum GPA. Students in grade 10 must have a 1.75 GPA. Students in grades 11 and 12 must have a 2.0 GPA. Students not meeting the eligibility requirements will not participate until the criteria has been met for the next grading period. OHSAA Athletic Eligibility The Ohio High School Athletic Association requires specific academic standards in order for athletes to be eligible for playing sports. In order to be eligible in grades 9-12, the student athlete must have received passing grades in a minimum of five one-credit courses, or the equivalent, in the immediately preceding grading period. A student enrolled in the first grading period after advancement from the eighth grade must have passed a minimum of five of all subjects carried the preceding grading period in which the student was enrolled. College Credit Plus (CCP) College Credit Plus students who attend college on a full-time basis must carry the minimum number of hours established by the college as attending full-time. Please note that for purposes of high school athletic eligibility, the Ohio High School Athletic Association requires full-time College Credit Plus students to carry at least thirteen (13) semester or quarter hours. Student athletes are also required to obtain evidence from their professors that they are passing at the end of each high school grading period. It is highly recommended that the student obtain a copy of Ohio s College Credit Plus Program from the State Department of Education ( ). In addition, a student electing to enroll in CCP must be certain that: The faculty members at the post-secondary institution understand that they will need to provide grades or a progress report at the time when the high school s grading period is over. The student athlete is taking enough coursework at the post-secondary institution exclusively or between the postsecondary institution and the high school combined to be equivalent to five one-credit courses. 20

22 Intercollegiate Athletic Eligibility It is the responsibility of parents and students to meet with school counselors to determine a course of study that meets NCAA Eligibility Center requirements. As NCAA standards continually change, please discuss course of study annually. NCAA Eligibility Center for Sport Scholarships The NCAA Eligibility Center is the organization that determines whether prospective college athletes are eligible to play sports at NCAA Division I or Division II institutions. It does this by reviewing the student athlete's academic record, SAT or ACT scores, and amateur status to ensure conformity with NCAA rules. The NCAA recommends that student athletes register with the clearinghouse at the beginning of their junior year in high school, but many students register after their junior year. There is no registration deadline, but students must be cleared by the NCAA Eligibility Center before they receive athletic scholarships or compete at a Division I or Division II institution. Registering with the NCAA Eligibility Center. Students can register online at the NCAA Eligibility Center website. They will have to enter personal information, answer questions about their athletic participation, and pay a registration fee. The website will then prompt them to have their high school transcript and ACT or SAT scores sent to the clearinghouse. NCAA website link NCAA academic eligibility requirements To play sports at an NCAA Division I or Division II institution, the student must: Complete a certain number of high school core courses. Earn a minimum grade point average in these core courses Earn a minimum score on the SAT or ACT (for Division I, this is scaled according to the student's core-course GPA) Graduate from high school For more information, see the NCAA's Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete, available at the NCAA website. Click here for NCAA Eligibility Center website( Athletics - FALL Cheerleading: Varsity, Junior Varsity, Freshmen Cross Country, Boys: Combination Varsity and Junior Varsity Cross Country, Girls: Combination Varsity and Junior Varsity Field Hockey: Varsity and Junior Varsity Football: Varsity, Junior Varsity, Freshmen Golf, Boys: Varsity and Junior Varsity Golf, Girls: Varsity and Junior Varsity Soccer, Boys: Varsity and Junior Varsity Soccer, Girls: Varsity and Junior Varsity Tennis, Girls: Varsity, Junior Varsity Volleyball, Girls: Varsity and Junior Varsity, Freshmen Athletics - WINTER Basketball, Boys: Varsity, Junior Varsity, Freshmen Basketball, Girls: Varsity, Junior Varsity Bowling, Boys: Varsity and Junior Varsity 21

23 Bowling, Girls: Varsity and Junior Varsity Cheerleading: Varsity, Junior Varsity, Freshmen Gymnastics, Girls: Varsity Swimming & Diving, Boys: Combination Varsity and Junior Varsity Swimming & Diving, Girls: Combination Varsity and Junior Varsity Wrestling: Varsity, Junior Varsity Athletics - SPRING Baseball: Varsity, Junior Varsity, Freshmen Lacrosse, Boys: Varsity, Junior Varsity Lacrosse, Girls: Varsity, Junior Varsity, Reserve Softball: Varsity, Junior Varsity Tennis, Boys: Varsity and Junior Varsity Track, Boys: Combination Varsity and Junior Varsity Track, Girls: Combination Varsity and Junior Varsity Volleyball, Boys: Varsity and Junior Varsity Physical Examination and Participation Forms Athletic participation and physical examination forms must be properly signed by a physician, the participant, and a parent or guardian and must be on file in the Athletic Department before any candidate for a team may participate in a practice. These forms necessitate the physician s certification of the individual s fitness to participate no less than once a year. Insurance Coverage All students participating in athletics must be covered by insurance in case of injury. Students without insurance coverage will not be allowed to participate. Transfer for Students (for participation in athletics) In order for a student-athlete to be eligible after transferring into the Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools, he/she must meet one of the eleven (11) exceptions as established by the OHSAA. For more information, please read By-Law 4 - Student Eligibility, Section 7, Transfers, to determine the eligibility/ineligibility of the student-athlete. ( 22